Label analysisGrade AKibble (Extruded)

Orijen

Orijen Six Fish™ Recipe Dry Dog Food

Editor ingredient insight

Orijen Six Fish has a very strong fish axis: pilchard, mackerel, hake, flounder, rockfish, sole, and several fish meals lead the formula, with 39% protein, 19% fat, 3,760 kcal/kg, 1.8% omega-3, and 1.1% EPA+DHA. I would use it for active dogs that do better on fish than chicken, not for kidney-sensitive, legume-sensitive, or strict fish-only troubleshooting dogs because phosphorus is 1.1%, legumes follow later, and freeze-dried beef, goat, and lamb natural flavors are also present.

Logic-based verdict

This food can stay in comparison, but ingredient quality still needs a more conservative read.

Manufacturer-independentPublic-data basedIngredients · nutrition · safety

Protein source

Ingredient guide

Whole plant protein source observed early

Animal protein

Whole pilchard (18%) (#1), whole mackerel (12%) (#2), whole hake (11%) (#3), flounder (5%) (#4), whole rockfish (5%) (#5), whole sole (5%) (#6), mackerel fish meal (5%) (#7), herring fish meal (5%) (#8), whitefish meal (5%) (#9), sardine fish meal (5%) (#10), blue whiting white fish meal (4.5%) (#11), salmon (0.5%) (#21), freeze-dried beef meat (natural flavor) (#36), freeze-dried goat meat (natural flavor) (#37), freeze-dried lamb meat (natural flavor) (#38)

Plant protein

red lentils (#13), green lentils (#14), green peas (#15), chickpeas (#17), yellow peas (#18)

The protein number may include influence from whole plant ingredients.

This is not treated like processed protein boosting, but it is worth checking.

Included support ingredients

Nutrient guide

Fish oil

Skin and joint support ingredient

Cranberry

Urinary support ingredient

Probiotics

Gut support ingredient

Omega-3

Skin and joint support ingredient

Omega-6

Skin and coat support ingredient

EPA+DHA

Skin, joint, and heart support ingredient

Glucosamine

Joint support ingredient

Vitamin E

Antioxidant and skin support ingredient

Top premium

Ingredient grade

A+

Grade A+

Top ingredient profile

Whole Pilchard (18%)
Whole Mackerel (12%)
Whole Hake (11%)
Fresh-meat leadPlant booster present
Crude protein39%
Crude protein39%
Crude fat19%
Other 42%

Calcium

1.5%

Phosphorus

1.1%

Protein position, fat position, and calorie density position are relative to foods in the same processing type cohort.

biotechProtein position
Higher
query_statsFat position
Higher
local_fire_departmentCalorie density
Higher

There is enough public data to keep this food in comparison, but the top ingredient structure does not support a stronger positive claim yet.

Nutritional strengths

  • All top three ingredients are animal ingredients.
  • Crude protein is on the higher side.
  • Nutrient disclosure is broad enough to compare real numbers directly.

What still needs work

  • Phosphorus is 1.1% on the label, at or above 1%. Senior dogs or dogs with kidney concerns should have phosphorus restriction reviewed with a veterinarian before using it as a staple food.
  • Whole plant protein sources can contribute to crude protein, so the animal-protein share still needs a closer read.
  • The top three are animal-led, but legumes repeat just below them in the early full ingredient list. Read this as a possible ingredient-splitting pattern rather than a clean top-three issue.

Alternative foods

Smart whitefish / sardine alternatives

Exact protein-type matches come first, then close protein-family matches fill the comparison.

15 alternativesKibble (Extruded) · protein type/family cohort

Brand context

Brand background availableRecall history confirmed

Founded in 2005 in Canada. This brand has a confirmed public recall history.

Ingredient analysis

The top ingredients give this recipe a strong first protein read, so the ingredient section starts from a favorable position.

restaurantIngredient Quality Analysis

A+6/6
Ingredient Grade
Top Premium
1Whole Pilchard (18%)
Fresh Meat · Top
2Whole Mackerel (12%)
Fresh Meat · Top
3Whole Hake (11%)
Fresh Meat · Top

Ingredient Analysis Comments

  • Whole Pilchard (18%) is a named fresh meat ingredient. The animal source is clearly identified. It reads as an top-tier protein source.
  • Whole Mackerel (12%) is a named fresh meat ingredient. The animal source is clearly identified. It reads as an top-tier protein source.
  • Whole Hake (11%) is a named fresh meat ingredient. The animal source is clearly identified. It reads as an top-tier protein source.
restaurantIngredient Grade A+Top Premium

Full collected ingredient list

46 ingredients
Whole pilchard (18%)whole mackerel (12%)whole hake (11%)flounder (5%)whole rockfish (5%)whole sole (5%)mackerel fish meal (5%)herring fish meal (5%)whitefish meal (5%)sardine fish meal (5%)blue whiting white fish meal (4.5%)fish oil (4%)red lentilsgreen lentilsgreen peaspea fiberchickpeasyellow peassunflower oilpinto common beanssalmon (0.5%)dried sea kelppumpkinbutternut squashzucchinidried chopped carrotsapplespearskalespinachbeet greensturnip greenscranberriesblueberriessaskatoon berriesfreeze-dried beef meat (natural flavor)freeze-dried goat meat (natural flavor)freeze-dried lamb meat (natural flavor)dl-alpha-tocopherol acetatezinc proteinatenatural vitamin Erosemary extractcitric acid (preservative)thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1)copper proteinateEnterococcus faecium
Primary positive ingredients
Support positive ingredients
Alternative protein
Neutral ingredients
Caution ingredients
High-caution ingredients

Why did the base review land here?

Ingredient qualityNutrient disclosure levelManufacturing & trust

This review score combines ingredient composition, nutrient disclosure, manufacturing trust, and core nutrient caution signals.

Nutrient disclosure

Partial disclosure

Core guaranteed analysis is usable, but deeper rows still need a more cautious read.

Safety verification

No fails

No major red flag jumps out first, though undisclosed rows still define the limits of this safety read.

Public data trust (ETF)

C2 tier

Detailed nutrition is visible, but not at a product-level traceability standard.

Final word

As a public review, this is a strong candidate to carry forward. The next question is whether it stays this strong for your own dog.

Back to all foods